I played the one that came with the download of TDM, Tears of St. Lucia. It is absolutely gorgeous looking, though very short.

The TDM download comes with an easy download page which links to a number of missions and downloads them directly to the correct folder, but I haven't been able to work out how to download and install missions from the TDM website itself.

I know, the heyday of T2 missions seems to be over. I have to get with it and download recent ones for my library so I don't miss anything, but the lovely long series missions don't seem to be coming as often.

Stealth reboot Thief no longer includes any quick time events, developer Eidos Montreal has confirmed.

"We're not implementing them," studio spokesperson Valérie Bourdeau explained. "To begin with, there were very few instances of QTEs in the game; in fact there was only one in that whole hour-long E3 demo.

"However, given the strong reactions it evoked in the press and the community, it was an easy decision to do away with them entirely. So we're not doing it. No quick time."

Other features discussed by the development team included confirmation that game won't feature any swimming sections, and details of the "hardcore" difficult mode where you can toggle modifiers to make your play through more challenging.

"Hardcore mode... allows players to customize the game in a number of ways. One of my favorites is the Ironman: if you die, game over. Hey, what is life without a little risk? We even added a "If the enemy detects you, you die" mode. Now combine that with the Ironman... You get the point!

"There is also the possibility to disable Focus and related abilities, as promised. This is in addition to the option to disable specific elements of the UI, like the reaction icons for NPCs. The UI list is pretty extensive, so don't worry, you will be able to get the game just the way you like it."

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Use the tools that the Builder hath given thee, and pester not the worker, for his toil is pleasant to the Builder's eyes!

I have mixed feelings about all this. I see things that I might not approve of, like an equal emphasis between combat and stealth, and there's more of a cinematic feel to it, with cut scenes involving other people, which interferes with the sense of isolation that I loved in the original games. But you know, the game has to evolve. A lot of people dissed Thief DS, but I thought a few of the levels were fantastic (Shalebridge, anyone?). It was different, but still Thief. It can't possibly be the same as it was, and it would be a mistake to try. I'm really willing to give this a chance.

I hope Benny makes an appearance, though. I'd find it difficult to forgive an absence of Benny.

I have downloaded and installed TDM and just finished playing the Tears of St Lucia. I really enjoyed it. There are some differences from Thief missions, mainly the way lockpicking works and picking up bodies. I didn't run into any combat since I relied on stealth, although I used the bow on the last guard after taking care of the statue. I had a very tough time knocking out the guard in the room with the statue. He seemed invincible but I finally got him. I'm planning on playing Requiem next.

I did play a bit of Business As Usual. What a great looking mission! Such clean beautiful graphics.